Scorpion Exo 100 Padova open face helmet

The Scorpion Exo 100 looks, on paper at least, to be a breath of fresh air. With a drop down sun visor and classic West-coast good looks, it promises to offer something a bit different from the usual crop of no-frills open face lids.

Polycarbonate Shell

Sizes XS to XXL

Spring-loaded sun visor

Typical price range: £95-£130 depending on retailer/model

Shell and safety

The Scorpion Exo 100 is a polycarbonate-shelled open faced helmet made with a ‘half helmet’ shell to give it that West-coast cruiser look. They’re particularly popular in the States but less so in Europe where fuller-shelled lids offer a bit more protection in an accident, and against the weather. However, with cruisers becoming more and more popular outside of the US, so too is the half-helmet look.

Scorpion Exo 100 Padova in cream

Given the Exo 100 is an open faced helmet, it won’t be tested by SHARP. Open face crash helmets inherently offer less protection than full face helmets so if you’re looking for the safest options, go for one of our safest helmets which have all been tested by SHARP and given maximum scores. However, if you’re looking at and open faced helmet, then you’re probably aware of their shortcomings and willing to overlook them in favour of the look of an open face and the sense of freedom they give you.

Having said all that, the Exo 100 has been ECE 22.05 tested and approved – like all motorcycle crash helmets on sale in the UK and EU – so it will offer at least a minimum level of protection in a crash.

It’s also worth nothing that every Scorpion helmet tested by SHARP to date has scored either three or four stars out of five, so assuming the Exo 100 uses similar materials and construction methods, it’s not unreasonable to think the shell itself might score similarly – which is above average.

Size & buying

If you’re thinking of buying an Exo 100, a few owners reckoned they had to go down a size (so, if you’re an M, you might want to try an S). Scorpion’s seem to be a bit hit and miss where sizing’s concerned so be aware – either try one in store or our advice is to err on the smaller size and buy from a vendor who will replace without any quibbles (not all do). Either way, don’t go out for a ride in it and keep it in perfect condition with stickers and labels so you can return it – until you’re sure you’ve got the right size.

In white showing removable peak and lowered sun visor

The Shell is manufactured in two sizes – that’s good for both safety and looks. The smaller shell size covers fittings XS to M and the larger shell size fittings L to XXL. Making two outer shell sizes fit five internal ‘fitting’ sizes is achieved by using different amounts of internal padding; with the XXL having less padding than the L for example. Which, in this example, might make the L helmet seem over-sized when worn compared to a person with an XXL head; which one or two owners have complained about (the lollipop effect). Again, it’s something to check when you try on the helmet to make sure it’s a keeper. For more information on this, see our shell size guide.

Sun visor & neck skirt

The Scorpion Exo 100 has some interesting features that set it apart from the competition. Firstly, it has a built-in sun visor. There’s a button top left of the visor opening (as you’re wearing it) that you press and a spring-loaded sun visor pops down and drops to just above the nose. Folks reckon it could be a bit darker but it’s good for low sun and keeping the worst of the rain or road crud out of the eyes. It can get a bit blustery behind it so it doesn’t stop really bad wind and rain, but for most owners, it’s a useful extra for when things get particularly bad like when you’re overtaking a truck or riding into the lowering sun. There’s also enough room behind it for goggles or glasses.

A range of different density sun visors are available as well as clear and amber (for low-visibility conditions).

Another nice touch is the removable neck/ear skirt. It zips in to the helmet to provide extra comfort and protection against the worst of the weather and reduces wind blast. It also houses speaker pockets and gives a great channel round the back of the helmet to route any cabling from your intercom or communicator that you might want to hide.

Other features include a sun peak that’s easily removable and leaves the front of the helmet clean and free of fixing brackets. Good design.

Internals – well padded, well ventilated and comfortable

Comfort, ventilation

Users say the helmet is really comfortable on, though one or two owners with unfaired bikes do say there’s quite a bit of helmt-lift above 60 mph. Another couple complained the chin strap could do with being longer, though they did confess that it could be due to their double-chins! Most find it comfortable though – and like the micrometric fastener too.

Interestingly, the Exo also has front vents – with small inlets behind the front peak pulling air into and through channels in the EPS polystyrene liner to keep the head well ventilated and cool – and help the fully removable/washable lining wick moisture away from the head.

Best places to buy a Scorpion crash helmet?

We've chosen three of the best places to buy from - whether it's a Scorpion or any other helmet/gear.

If you want piece of mind when you buy,SportsBikeShop is based in the UK and offers outstanding service (9.8/10 on Trustpilot) including 365 day refunds and free UK delivery. They may not always be the cheapest but are our recommended retailer for really amazing service.

Or try Motoin (Germany). They get great feedback (4.9 and 4.86 out of 5 on Idealo and eTrustedshops at the time of writing) though note, there's a small delivery charge so factor that in (see here for details).

GetGeared is another recommended UK retailer, also with free UK delivery, a no-quibble 365 day returns policy and scoring 9/10 on Trustpilot.

Please click any picture/link to visit their Scorpion helmets page where you can see all the latest designs and deals. And if you buy from any, we get a small sum from the sale at no extra cost to you - a massive THANKS! (it's how we finance the site). Click here for more info on our recommended retailers.

Click to visit Scorpion helmets at SportsBikeShopClick to visit Scorpion helmets at Get GearedClick to visit Scorpion at Motoin (then use site search)

Definitely want a Scorpion?

A comfortable open-face helmet that owners like. It's well built and has some useful features like a drop-down sun visor and neck skirt. It looks cool too. If you need bugs in your teeth and the freedom of an open face, then the Exo 100 is worth a try.